Towards a Sustainable Agriculture A visit to FULL CIRCLE FARM Boone County, Iowa Operated by Nan Bonfils, Don Adams, and Harold Adams September 18 Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

Full Circle Farm as a Sustainable Agro-ecosystem The farmers work with nature by: Capturing as much solar energy as possible while reducing the use of fossil fuels Retaining and recycling nutrients on the farm and using few purchased inputs Preserving and restoring natural habitats to protect water quality and support wildlife September 18 Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

Full Circle Farm as a Sustainable Local Food System They are economically profitable and support the community by: Raising value-added products such as forage fed beef, free-range eggs, and organic vegetables Processing products locally Marketing directly to consumers and returning wastes to the farm for composting Providing education and recreation opportunities September 18 Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

Full Circle Farm’s Grazing & Grass-based Farming Ruminant animals (cows, sheep) transform the “free” solar energy captured in grass into high value meat products. Grass pastures hold the soil in place to prevent erosion and also add diversity to the farm. Grass pastures cover and hold the soil year-round. They contain a mix of plants, adding biological diversity to the farm. September 18 Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

Towards a Sustainable Agriculture Grass captures solar energy. Cattle then consume the grass, fertilize the pasture with manure, recycling plant nutrients. September 18 Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

Towards a Sustainable Agriculture Corn and sorghum are grown together in a mix without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. September 18 Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

Towards a Sustainable Agriculture The use of movable electric fence allows cattle to strip-graze the crop while it is still in the field. This saves the fuel and labor of mechanical harvest. September 18 Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

Towards a Sustainable Agriculture Even in winter when grass is not growing, cows deposit manure to fertilize fields and pastures. September 18 Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

Towards a Sustainable Agriculture Steers are processed at the local locker and marketed directly in the community. September 18 Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

Towards a Sustainable Agriculture Clun Forest sheep, a hardy breed, grow well on forage, and are processed and sold locally. September 18 Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

Towards a Sustainable Agriculture Eggs from Red Star hens that are fed organically-grown grain from the farm provide a year-round product. September 18 Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

Towards a Sustainable Agriculture Free-range eggs are popular with customers who like that the hens are not raised in crowded cages or fed antibiotics. September 18 Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

Towards a Sustainable Agriculture Food scraps from a nearby camp are brought to the farm and composted. The farm recovers the food waste nutrients, returning them to the fields. September 18 Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

Towards a Sustainable Agriculture Turning compost adds oxygen from the air to help bacteria decompose materials and cycle nutrients. September 18 Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

Towards a Sustainable Agriculture Vegetables are grown with organic methods to provide local customers with fresh, farm-ripened produce. September 18 Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

Towards a Sustainable Agriculture Vegetables are sold through Full Circle Farm’s CSA, and to grocery stores and restaurants in the area. September 18 Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

Towards a Sustainable Agriculture Prairie plantings provide wildlife habitat. These warm season prairie grasses are grazed by cattle in the heat of summer. September 18 Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

Towards a Sustainable Agriculture Woodlands protect water quality, and provide wildlife habitat and firewood to cut and sell to nearby campers. September 18 Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

Towards a Sustainable Agriculture The farm pond is managed for fishing and recreation. Water is used to irrigate vegetable crops and water livestock. September 18 Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

Towards a Sustainable Agriculture Full Circle Farm is visited by many people for educational field tours and community picnics. September 18 Towards a Sustainable Agriculture